ARMENIAN POLITICAL FIGURES CRITICAL OF MASS MEDIA
news.am
May 3 2010
Armenia
Armenia marks the World Press Freedom Day today, May 3. In its press
freedom report, the Freedom House lists Armenia among "not free"
countries.
The Armenian political forces are hardly complimentary about press
freedom in the country. Most of Armenian political figures reproach
Armenian mass media with being political or financially dependent,
committed and biased. Government officials accuse mass media of this,
whereas they ignore such factors as censorship and pressure.
Hovhannes Sahakyan of the Republican Party of Armenia told NEWS.am
that mass media often mix freedom of speech with "lack of any
restraint." He pointed out the necessity for a clear definition of
"freedom of speech." "Of course, we have some problems, but the
Armenian authorities are doing their best to resolve them and ensure
maximum freedom of press," Sahakyan said.
Naira Zohrabyan of the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP), who formerly
worked for the opposition newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times),
wants Armenia to have full-fledged mass media one day.
"Unfortunately, we cannot say Armenia has full-fledged mass media now.
At present, they are an instrument in the hands of either the
authorities or the Opposition, which can be accounted for by their
not being financially self-sufficient," she said. Zohrabyan stressed
the serious problems of the print media and, on the hand, a high
professional level and impartiality of news agencies and news websites.
Artyusha Shahbazyan, Secretary of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation
(Dashnaktsutyun) (ARF(D)) faction, is not enthusiastic over the
Armenian mass media’s activities. He pointed out considerable progress
in freedom of speech in Armenia over recent years. He disagreed with
Naira Zohrabyan, pointing out that printed media are much freer, as
they are not subject to as strong pressure as other media outlets. As
regards their impartiality, their being financially dependent and
"politically overcommitted" is an obstacle. "Armenian print media
often turn into a side in political games, which strips them of
impartiality," he said. Shahbazyan pointed out an even worse situation
in TV companies.
Stepan Safaryan, Chairman of the Heritage parliamentary faction,
pointed out subjective and objective reasons for Armenian mass media’s
"constraint." Among the objective reasons are an atmosphere of fear
in the country and violence against journalists, while subjective
reasons are mass media being "politically committed" and "financially
dependent."
RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan reported that his office is preparing a
special report on press freedom in Armenia. He pointed out that print
media and news websites ensure the existence of various opinions in
society, whereas TV companies are mostly biased.
Despite being critical of mass media, all the respondents wished the
fraternity of the Press freedom, independence, courage and honesty.